Matera is one of the most spectacular touristic cities from Southern Italy. It is famous for its caves net that used to be used as homes until about 50 years ago. Since then the small city has gone through a severe transformation process into a great touristic destination.
Once arrived here you will discover that Matera has no touristic destinations or attractions. The whole city with its caves is the attraction.
Entering the caves, tourists can see for themselves how the Italians lived in the middle of the last century. After visiting the caves, or at least some of them, there are cave churches to be seen also. The churches were used by the Basilian monks as a shelter during the time of the Byzantine Empire.
One of the most famous churches of Matera, San Pietro Caveoso, is not a cave and can be visited also. Museo Nazionale Ridola is Materas main museum and not far from it there is also Museo Nazionale d’Arte Medievale. Another important museum that contains valuable religious pictures.
Musma (Museo della Scultura Contemporana Matera) is a great place where you can admire some of Italy's 19th century sculptures and even contemporary ones.
Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario is a contemporary cave-house built to recreate the feeling of living in such a home made of stone from that time frame.
In the near of Matera, Storico Naturale delle Chiese Rupestri del Materano, is a natural park visited every year by thousands of tourists assisted by a professional local guide.
The medium price for a hotel room is at about 80 euros per night. One of the options of the area is Sassi Hotel with its minimalist design that constantly reminds you that you are in a cave from Matera.
Spending about 40 euros will ease your hunger at one of the local "cave-restaurants" like Trattoria Lucana or La Talpa.
For the moment none of the places mentioned above accept crypto currencies, but there is hope for the future.
